EFCC, ICPC to prosecute fake document printers

and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have vowed to prosecute any printing firm which engages in production of fake documents as a way of tackling corruption.

The agencies said they would work with the chartered Institute of Professional Printers (CIPPON), which regulates printing in the country, to identify printers who are not registered and who engage in crime.

EFCC chairman Ibrahim Lamorde and his ICPC counterpart Ekpo Nta spoke at the 52nd Independence Anniversary Lecture organised by CIPPON and the Federal Ministry of Information in Lagos last week. It had the theme: Transformation Agenda: Fighting against Corruption; Generating Employment through Printing.

Larmode, represented by Mr Osita Nwajah, said the fight against fake documents printing began with the raiding of the Oluwole market on September 1, 2005, where over 40,000 fake international passports, 50,000 assorted bank cheque books, thousands of travellers cheques, fake certificates, among others were seized.

“Fraudsters destroy the country’s image abroad,” he said, urging CIPPON to report to security agencies once it has reasonable suspicion about questionable print job orders. “The EFCC is ready to work with you in ensuring that the problem of fake documents printing is brought to an end.”

According to him, it is only when printing outfits are properly categorised that effective monitoring of their activities can be achieved. “For example, all members who fail to register should have their businesses closed,” Lamorde said.

The EFCC boss said part of CIPPON’s criteria for registration should involve an undertaking by members that any fictitious entry brought by them for production must be reported to the institute.

He added: “CIPPON should ensure that the full identities of the customer ordering a job is recorded including phone numbers and existing and verifiable addresses as a precondition for taking up printing jobs. This is more like the printers’ version of the Know-Your-Customer (KYC) regime governing financial institutions.

“It should also be made mandatory that all publications should carry the names and addresses of the printing outfit. CIPPON should embark on rigorous public enlightenment campaign.

“Members of the public should also be informed that only accredited members of the institute should be patronised. Any printing outfit not displaying the membership certification of the institute should be reported to the law enforcement agencies.

“A Printers’ Code of Ethics should be developed and circulated among all members and failure to abide by the ethics should be followed with sanctions. The institute can also introduce the pasting of large information posters that read for example: ‘We don’t print counterfeit products here,’ which should be seen at the business premises of all members.

“Members should be encouraged to report all suspicious job orders to appropriate authorities.”

Nta, represented by the Head, ICPC Lagos, Mr Shintema Binga, said the commission would collaborate with CIPPON to prosecute acts of corruption in the printing industry.

“ICPC is fully prepared to collaborate with CIPPON to ensure that corruption in whatever form in the printing industry is dealt with,” he said.

CIPPON President and Chairman-in-Council, Mr Wahab A.O Muhammed Lawal, urged the government and all print buyers to create a level-playing ground by complying with the Printers’ Act.

He decried capital flight of printing jobs to foreign countries, saying it would continue to be the bane of increasing printing capacity if not checked. He added: “It is shameful to print textbooks outside the country for our children to read. How do you grow the economy?”

Lawal said there would be more investment in the printing industry if the government patronises local printers more, urging print buyers to go through the institute to identify printers who can guarantee security of materials, quality and timely delivery.

On how stakeholders can abide by the CIPPON Act (2007), Lawal said: “CIPPON licence and certificates should form a part of the criteria for bidding for printing jobs, all over Nigeria.

“CIPPON letter of introduction/approval should be an acceptable means of identification to register printing business names by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and to open bank accounts.

“Customs and Excise, Immigration and embassies should request for the institute’s letter of identification before clearing printing equipment, materials and approving travel documents, etc.

“In case of a situation warranting capital flight of printing jobs, it must be by the institute’s licensed printing houses, while the institute must confirm the inability of such printing houses to execute the print order in Nigeria.”

Information Minister Labaran Maku, represented by the ministry’s Director of Publications, Mr Olufela Oshunbiyi, said there is need to assist the printing industry with “a deliberate soft loan policy” by the Bank of Industry to stimulate investment in the sector, adding that a National Printing Industry Fund could also be created for easy access by investors.

“Given the fact that Nigeria’s Gross Annual Expenditure on school books alone currently hovers around N100 billion, not to mention other print products, there is no doubt that the development of the printing sector will prevent perennial capital flight and keep trillions of naira within the economy,” Maku said.

On corruption, he said: “It would be recalled that the recent controversy over subsidy fraud involved similar fake waybills and related invoices and receipts that were print-related.

“Indeed, I believe the EFCC and ICPC should have and demonstrate greater interest in the coordination and development of the printing industry in order to enhance and catalyse the ongoing fight against corruption in Nigeria.”

Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom, represented by Mr Steven Amase, said his ministry’s new strategy is to pursue a policy framework that would mobilise foreign direct investment and domestic investments for growth in the critical sectors, including the printing industry.

“Government is coming up with an option of first refusal to indigenous companies in any local billings. A bill to this effect is already at the National Assembly and when passed, members of CIPPON stand to benefit immensely,” he said.

Also at the event was Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information, Mrs Oluranti Odutola, who represented Governor Fashola (SAN).

You don’t need traditional printing companies any more, all you need is your personal computer. EFCC is chasing shadows. In any case, the printing companies don’t commit any offence unless they are using the printed materials themselves to commit fraud. The problem is our university system that does not provide training to meet emerging jobs.